Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide [Paperback]

Joanna Merlin (Author), Harold Prince (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2001

Theater veteran and acting teacher Joanna Merlin has written the definitive guide to auditioning for stage and screen, bringing to it a valuable dual perspective. She has spent her career on both sides of the auditioning process, both as an award-winning casting director who has worked with Harold Prince, Bernard Bertolucci, and James Ivory, and as an accomplished actor herself.

In this highly informative and accessible book, Merlin provides everything the actor needs to achieve self-confidence and artistic honesty–from the most basic practical tips to an in-depth framework for preparing a part. Filled with advice from the most esteemed people in the business, such as James Lapine, Nora Ephron, and Stephen Sondheim, and charged with tremendous wisdom and compassion, this indispensable resource will arm the reader to face an actor's greatest challenge: getting the part.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Experienced acting teacher and casting director Merlin, who has worked with such luminaries as James Ivory, Bernardo Bertolucci, and Stephen Sondheim, provides comprehensive instruction here on how actors can improve their auditions. The author's writing style is friendly and straightforward while still being technically focused. She takes a variety of dramatic scenes and breaks them down to show how an actor can use a short section of a play to make a big impression. She includes special advice for auditioning for film, TV, and musicals. Merlin also goes through the actual auditioning event step by step, with advice on how to handle props, costumes, positioning, lights, and other potential problems. One chapter includes comments from directors on what they would like to see in an actor's audition. A gem of a book for every library that serves aspiring actors and we all do, don't we? For all libraries. J. Sara Paulk, Coastal Plain Regional Lib., Tifton, GA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Joanna Merlin [is] one of the top casting directors in the country and a formidable actress…. Her compassion and understanding toward actors is matched by her sensitivity and generosity in teaching this unusual craft."–Kevin Kline

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; 1st Vintage Books ed edition (May 8, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375725377
• ISBN-13: 978-0375725371
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #176,391 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Real-life tips from a working pro, August 26, 2001

By 

Adam Schwartz - See all my reviews

This review is from: Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide (Paperback)

I've read dozens of books on acting, and Audition is one of the best. Ms. Merlin, who originated the role of the mother in Fiddler on the Roof, packs a great deal of useful advice taken from her decades as a professional (read: paid) actor and casting director, and her thorough knowledge of the industry (both film and theater) comes through on every page. More than a book about auditioning, Audition covers all aspects of the acting profession. Most valuable to me was the chapter on acting choices, which outlines in the clearest terms I've ever seen how to analyze a scene for acting by using Merlin's nine steps. Also welcome is her firm but loving admonishments that we actors need to hear. It's like having the perfect Jewish mother give you advice on your acting career. Nu?

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A useful book for serious actors, November 7, 2001

By 

Karen K. Kirschenbauer (Middleburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide (Paperback)

As a professional, working actor, I found this book inspiring. Whether you are a beginner, or someone who in a slump, or just someone wanting to keep her edge while waiting for the next auditon call, this book can help. There are sections on auditioning for stage, film and musical theatre...and there are definitely differences in those auditons.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for nervousness, August 11, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Auditioning: An Actor-Friendly Guide (Paperback)

Before I read this, I had a big problem with my confidence as well as with everything else. But this book really helped me believe in myself, believe it or not.